Nabil Luqman

0f9d2dd4f71434084e2b6094de1865e23abb37bb9f28ca51feeabee679ec9be2

Social

environment

plastic

research

award

groundbreaking

decompose

upcycling

ocean waste

Recognition from prestigious institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard is often seen as a pinnacle of achievement, a dream that many aspire to realize in their careers. However, Malaysian researcher Kong Xin Ying has recently accomplished an extraordinary feat, being celebrated by multiple renowned organizations within a single month. In September 2024, she received the MIT Technology Review&rsquo;s Innovators Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific Award, a distinction given to only 35 exceptional innovators across the region. Simultaneously, Stanford University recognised her as one of the World&rsquo;s Top 2% Scientists in 2023. At just 32 years old, Kong&rsquo;s accolades reflect her innovative contributions to sustainable technology and environmental preservation.
As a research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Kong has led a pioneering team in developing catalysts designed to significantly reduce the decomposition time of non-biodegradable plastics&mdash;from hundreds of years to a mere single day.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/a5bd70cb37a894312651b589e00459e9c14217d24998545202ce1353956d17b2" />
This groundbreaking process addresses the pressing global issue of plastic pollution while generating valuable byproducts, including solvents and hydrogen carriers, which can be harnessed for various applications. &ldquo;Receiving this award is an incredible honour,&rdquo; Kong shared. &ldquo;It highlights the significance of my work in mitigating plastic pollution with sustainable solutions and motivates me to push the boundaries of my research even further.&rdquo;
Kong's research is particularly critical in light of alarming predictions regarding plastic waste in our oceans. The United Nations has estimated that by 2050, there may be more plastic in the seas than fish. This daunting statistic was a driving force behind Kong&rsquo;s commitment to finding solutions.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/c170bad3e833d258dbba9838829807885bfd331fb75fc4afac6a61bfae02f704" />
Her journey began with a transformative diving trip to Mabul Island in Sabah, where she was confronted with the stark reality of plastic waste littering the beaches and floating in the water. &ldquo;There was a lot of trash on the beaches and plastic waste floating on the water,&rdquo; she recounted. &ldquo;I thought I had read enough about plastic pollution, but witnessing it firsthand was a wake-up call.&rdquo;
In response to the overwhelming amount of plastic waste she observed, Kong dedicated herself to researching plastic upcycling. Her innovative approach not only offers a solution to the plastic pollution crisis but also repurposes carbon from plastic waste, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. &ldquo;I learned that there could be more plastics than fish in the oceans by 2050,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;That realization pushed me to focus my research on plastic recycling and finding sustainable methods to tackle this issue. This work took approximately two and a half years, but I am hopeful about its potential impact.&rdquo;
Kong's achievement as the only Malaysian recipient of the TR35 award this year places her alongside only three other Malaysians who have received this honour in the last decade. The TR35 Award celebrates young innovators from diverse fields, including biotechnology, communications, energy, and materials science, recognizing their ingenuity and entrepreneurial vision. Kong&rsquo;s work has not only attracted international attention but has also been acknowledged for its potential to revolutionize how we handle plastic waste and its implications for sustainable energy solutions.
Catalysts for Change: Inspiring a New Era of Plastic Waste Solutions
In addition to her TR35 accolade, Kong was recently listed among the world's top 2% scientists for 2023 by Stanford University, marking another significant milestone in her career. She is now one of five recipients of the 2023 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment, which will allow her to undertake a three-month attachment at the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley. &ldquo;The Merdeka Award Grant will provide a platform for me to collaborate with leading researchers at top institutions worldwide,&rdquo; Kong explained. &ldquo;This exposure will significantly enhance my work on sustainable energy solutions and expand the impact of my research.&rdquo;
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/a43c5212e26abb40a1f51ee4ff140cec16c5711972779b006cf051d4482af621" />
Kong's work continues to push boundaries in the scientific community, and she remains committed to scaling up her technology for industrial applications. &ldquo;In the future, I hope to commercialize this technology so it can have a real-world impact and benefit people,&rdquo; she stated, emphasizing her openness to opportunities that would allow her to return to Malaysia and contribute to the local research landscape.
Her success can be attributed in part to her upbringing, where her parents prioritized personal development over academic grades. &ldquo;From a young age, they nurtured my critical thinking skills and encouraged me to make my own decisions,&rdquo; Kong recalled. &ldquo;They supported me in trying new things and taking risks, even if it meant failing sometimes, as they viewed failure as a learning opportunity.&rdquo; This mindset has empowered her to engage in research with an open mind, unafraid of exploring new ideas and overcoming challenges.
Kerina Fauzi, secretary of the Merdeka Award Trust, praised Kong's achievements, stating, &ldquo;Kong's work exemplifies the spirit of innovation and excellence that the Merdeka Award aims to recognize. Her research addresses real-world environmental challenges and inspires future generations of scientists and innovators to pursue transformative solutions.&rdquo;
The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment, awarded every two years, has supported 29 recipients since its inception in 2012. This prestigious grant provides Malaysians aged 22 to 35 with the opportunity to collaborate with leading global institutions across various fields, including education, health, science, technology, environment, arts, and humanities. Applications for the next cycle of the grant will open on January 1, 2025, offering full funding for tuition, accommodation, and travel for successful applicants.
As Kong looks ahead to further advancing her research and making a tangible impact on the global plastic pollution crisis, her journey stands as a powerful reminder of the potential within Malaysian talent to shape a more sustainable future. Her determination and innovative spirit serve as an inspiration not only to her peers but also to the next generation of scientists dedicated to solving some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges.
Now that's what you call innovative! At the same time, we Malaysians should also do our part in reducing our carbon footprint by cutting down on our daily plastic usage and opting to bring our own bottles and reusable items when we&rsquo;re out and about. 
As the saying goes, a little goes a long way, and with that in mind, every small effort counts toward creating a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations. By adopting simple changes in our daily habits, we can collectively contribute to a significant impact in the fight against plastic pollution and climate change. Let&rsquo;s embrace these practices and inspire others to join in the movement towards sustainability!
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
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The impact of the century, making non-biodegradable plastics decompose within a day. 

9ecea593d1f88e0f699d824f3128b3238361aa6a0dc200338cfd704341aff3f5

Malaysian Scientist Honoured Internationally For Groundbreaking Plastic Upcycling Research

Malaysian Scientist Honoured Internationally For Groundbreaking Plastic Upcycling Research

The impact of the century, making non-biodegradable plastics decompose within a day.

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